Before & After: The Laundry Room

The roughest spot in our house is the attic space. Intended for storage, it wasn't exactly the perfect place for the washer/dryer hook-ups. Since there wasn't another spot for them, I've been doing laundry (tons of it!) up there. (Notice the insulation hanging down, the roof boards showing through and other creepy, crawly things hanging around.) 

Yesterday, I'd had enough of the situation. Pulled out some of my favorite fabric, a can of grey/green paint and dug up some accessories from around the house. Not bad for a few hours of work and no moola.  

BEFORE 

AFTER 

Wine Picks

I love getting a good bottle of wine 1/2 price. This is one of my favorite Cabernets. Beaulieu Vineyard's Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Around $12 at the grocery store, $8 at Costco and $6 this week with coupon. (they'll give you the coupon at the register) Unlimited quantity. Yes, that means as many bottles as you want. Stock up. 

Here's a review...

"Strong black currant, cedar, herbs and a hint of pipe tobacco indicate classic Cabernet aromas from fully mature grapes grown in moderate to cool climates. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, the flavors show excellent fruit concentration combined with moderate yet supple tannins, a hint of vanilla oak and a rich, chewy finish."

Hamburger Soup

It's raining again. That means more soup recipes! Here's a family favorite that John has been trying his hand at lately. (love husbands who cook) The best part of this recipe is that you can substitute in whatever you have in your veggie drawer or freezer and it still tastes great. Yummy. 

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 6 cubes beef or vegetable broth 
• 5 cups water
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (16 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn kernels
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 3 tablespoons ketchup

Directions

1. In a medium skillet, brown hamburger over medium heat. Drain off fat.
2. Combine beef, carrots, celery, onions, bouillon, water, tomato sauce, chopped tomatoes, salt, corn, basil, and ketchup in a large stock pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Three Potato Four Sale

Oh my. Three Potato Four is having a sale on everything in their fabulous shop. 25% off until Dec. 31st. Don't miss out. I certainly won't. A few of the things on my wish list...

Manhattan Poster 

Cafeteria Table 

Whales Tea Towel 

Bird Jewelry Dish 

Sugar Cane Mold 

Christmas in Pictures

In the Nick of Time

We had a bit of a scare this morning when Lincoln remembered that he had neglected to send his list to Santa. Much concern was expressed that it was too late to put in his requests. Thankfully Santa has an email address that we utilized and we're taking a trip today to see Santa to confirm that the list is delivered. Lincoln, smart boy that he is, informed us that the Santa at the mall isn't the real one, but they will deliver the letter. 


Disaster averted. 

Clean Sweep

I love Christmas and all that comes with it. But about this time of the month I'm yearning for clear surfaces and less clutter in the house. Wanting to pack up the santa collection and multiple nativities till next year. Of course this makes me think about re-decorating as usual and here are a few of the things on my living room wish list. Enjoy. 

Corona Couch 

Cascara Coffee Table

Jorun Rug 

Seguro Mirror 

Josephine Chair 

Mercury Glass Lamp 

Soup Weather

Rainy days translate to soup for me. This Adirondack Salmon Chowder is on tonight's menu. Third night of soup, and I might just keep going till this rain gives way to sunny skies. Rave reviews online, but I'll let you know after we give it a run tonight. Here's the recipe if you want to join us. 

Adirondack Salmon Chowder

2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

½ cup chopped onion
½ cup diced celery
2 cups diced carrots
1½-2 cups diced potatoes
2 Bay Leaves
1½-2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon old bay seasoning
1 teaspoon parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried dill weed

½ stick butter

1/3 cup flour
1 qt. (4 cups) milk
1 teaspoon cornstarch
6 slices bacon, cooked and diced (optional)
1 - 1 1/2 lbs frozen salmon (not thawed)
1 cup frozen corn
1 12 oz. pkg. cream cheese

To cook the salmon: Heat a heavy nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Brush both sides of the fish with canola oil. Place fish in the heated pan (skin side up if the skin is still on). Cook uncovered 3-4 minutes or until browned. Turn the fish over, season with salt and pepper, and cover the skillet. Reduce th eheat to medium and cook 6 more minutes. Let salmon cool on a plate, then flake apart into bite sized pieces. Set aside.

Simmer chicken broth, onion, carrots, celery, potatoes, bay leaves and other seasonings for 15-20 minutes in a covered medium saucepan, until vegetables are soft.

Heat milk in microwave for 2 minutes. In a separate large-sized stockpot, melt butter then add flour and pepper. Cook together for a couple of minutes, then whisk in warmed milk. Stir and heat together on medium-high heat until the mixture starts to thicken slightly, being careful not to let the it boil. In a small bowl,  mix 1 tsp cornstarch with a little bit of water to create a slurry. Add to the pot and allow to thicken slightly.

Remove the bay leaves from the chicken broth and add the chicken broth and vegetables into the milk mixture.

Stir in corn, bacon, salmon, and cream cheese. Cook on medium, stirring frequently until heated through and cheese has completely melted. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary.

Weekend Re-Cap

Lots of action around here this weekend! Saturday's project (bunkbeds) turned into Monday morning stitches. Bear slipped off the bottom rung of the ladder and ended up with four stitches in his chin. He was such a good boy at the hospital that they gave him a multi-pack of HotWheels. Hip hip for Rady Children's! 


Lincoln was the coolest wise man ever on Sunday morning. We called him Head Wise Man since his counterparts were half his size and needed much direction. Bear and Ben joined in at the end as jingle-bell-singing-sheep. Total chaos, but totally cute.  


Capped off this amazing weekend last night with a trip to the Boat Light Parade on San Diego Bay. The first sail boat was awesome! We were so excited! And then they cancelled the parade due to rain. (Seattle friends and family, you would have been ashamed at the amount of rain that cancelled this parade. SO pathetic) 


Looking forward to a fun, low-key week before Christmas. Hope you've got some fun things planned. 

Holiday Trunk Show

Now, I'm sure most of you have all of your shopping done. Men, you've definitely gotten your wives gifts wrapped and under the tree, right? But just in case, here's something for the last-minute shopper.


One-of-a-kind gifts + wine. Don't miss it! 

Stocking Stuffers | No. 2

Classy Beer Ties. Barley & Hops on a tie. Gorgeous. 

Winter Tree Pendant. For those of us wearing shorts at Christmas. 

Adorable Snowflake Hat. Perfect for your little bundle of joy. 

Ginger Blossom Soap. Love the packaging and I'm sure it smells yummy. 

Caddyshack Golf Ball Markers. Fun golf accessory for the die hard golfer. 

The Boss

We tried cheerios in the toilet, toys on the back of the toilet, candy bribery, a toy basket. You name it, we tried it. All we got back in response was "I like to poop in my diaper". 


Monday morning Bear announced, "I wear underwear now." And he has ever since. End of story. 

Macaroni & Cheese Like Your Mom Made

image via the pioneer woman 

Cheese, macaroni, milk. Staples in our house. When I'm looking to make something for dinner without taking a trip to the grocery store I go straight to my Pioneer Woman cookbook. Everything in her book is simple, has few ingredients, and tastes delicious. (Not the food you'll be eating every night unless you want to gain some serious weight. Cattle farmers are the exception of course)

The Byard family stands behind our recommendation of this macaroni and cheese. I'll be adding caramelized onions to mine the next time around. 

Ingredients

• 4 cups Dried Macaroni
• 1 whole Egg Beaten
• ¼ cups (1/2 Stick Or 4 Tablespoons) Butter
• ¼ cups All-purpose Flour
• 2-½ cups Whole Milk
• 2 teaspoons (heaping) Dry Mustard, More If Desired
• 1 pound Cheese, Grated
• ½ teaspoons Salt, More To Taste
• ½ teaspoons Seasoned Salt, More To Taste
• ½ teaspoons Ground Black Pepper
• Optional Spices: Cayenne Pepper, Paprika, Thyme

Preparation Instructions

Cook macaroni until very firm. Macaroni should be too firm to eat right out of the pot. Drain.

In a small bowl, beat egg.

In a large pot, melt butter and sprinkle in flour. Whisk together over medium-low heat. Cook mixture for five minutes, whisking constantly. Don’t let it burn.

Pour in milk, add mustard, and whisk until smooth. Cook for five minutes until very thick. Reduce heat to low.

Take 1/4 cup of the sauce and slowly pour it into beaten egg, whisking constantly to avoid cooking eggs. Whisk together till smooth.

Pour egg mixture into sauce, whisking constantly. Stir until smooth.

Add in cheese and stir to melt.

Add salt and pepper. Taste sauce and add more salt and seasoned salt as needed! DO NOT UNDERSALT.

Pour in drained, cooked macaroni and stir to combine.
Serve immediately (very creamy) or pour into a buttered baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.

Mobile Food

This weekend we enjoyed delicious tacos made-to-order by Taquizas El Unico at our annual Young Life party. People who bring the food, serve it and take it all away? Genius. Have their number saved for my next party. 

Been running into these mobile food trucks everywhere I go lately. Healthy, affordable, parked near my neighborhood almost every day. Twitter location updates. Love it. 

Miho Gastrotruck 

Tabe

Sweet Treats Truck 

Joes on the Nose

Corner Cupcakes 

Christmas Design Ideas

I made a pledge this year to use what I have, and resist the temptation to buy more decorations. It's been fun to find creative uses for the things in my Christmas tubs. A few ideas...

De-Clutter. Before you open up your tubs, make a stack of your regular decor to put away until January. Wipe down all your surfaces for a fresh start before putting your Christmas decorations out. Start with a blank slate. 

Nature. Use branches in vases. Decorate fresh rosemary or boxwood trees with ornaments or lights. 

Cluster. Put groupings of decorations of different sizes together rather than spacing them out throughout a room.

Mix it up. Use art, pictures and natural elements together.  

Budget friendly. Glitter snowflakes, balls, ribbon. Use inexpensive ornaments to fill glass hurricanes or apothocary jars.